No real discrepancy
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In the Commercial Motor of July 25 Janus commented on the different goods vehicle totals published in Basic Road Statistics, Highway Statistics and a recent written reply in the House of Commons. Both 'Basic Road Statistics and Highway Statistics use figures derived from the annual census of motor vehicles, the only difference being the treatment of general haulage and showmen's tractors, numbering some 6,400 in 1967 and 1968. These are omitted from the total of goods vehicles in Basic Road Statistics, being classified as "other vehicles".
The figures given in the House of Commons written answer were based on estimates of the number of licences current at the end of each month. Such estimates always produce lower totals than the annual censuses which take into account all vehicles licensed at any time during the three months July-September. For historical comparisons the annual census figures are the most reliable although, in most recent years, based on 10 per cent samples and therefore not necessarily 100 per cent accurate. A full census is carried out every five or six years. the last being in 1966. L. E. WHEELER Economist British Road Federation.
Following LDoY
Now that the full details of the h.g.v. driver's licence are available, I think it is worthy of remark that the manoeuvring excercises used in the test bear a considerable resemblance to those developed over the years by the Lorry Driver of the Year competition.
As we out in the field lead, so do the bureaucrats follow!
E. J. BARBER, Leigh-on-Sea.
Portable weighing devices
I would like to take the liberty of amplifying the answer given in the -CI & A" page of your July 25 issue concerning load cells for weighing lorries. My company manufactures what we claim to be the only truly portable axle weighing device on the market at present, and this works by using load cells. This product was given editorial comment in your issue of May 16, but not mentioned in your July 25 answer.
We also manufacture a permanent axle weighing device using the same principles. The extremely high accuracy of measurement made possible by the use of our device is obtained by a unique system of measurement
For bravery
From Lord Collison, general secretary of the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers and chairman of the safety, health and welfare committee of the TUC.
I am writing to draw the attention of your readers to the Plus 50 Industrial Bravery Award and to ask them if they would notify the awards committee of any deeds of bravery performed recently by people whilst at work.
The awards scheme was set up a year ago and is the only one of its kind specifically for men and women at work, The award itself takes the form of an inscribed silver salver and the winner's name is also placed on the Plus 60 Roll of Industrial Heroism at the British Safety Council's headquarters.
Recommendations for awards are judged by a panel of Members of Parliament from all parties under my chairmanship. There is no limit to the number of awards which can be made in any one year.
So far 10 awards have been made, including one to a lady ambulance driver who rescued children from a blazing house. I would be grateful if any of your readers with personal experience of someone's heroism at work would send details to: Hon Secretary, Plus 50 Industrial Bravery Award, Lodge Road, Bristol.
It is right and proper that those whose valour and initiative have saved the lives of others should be publicly acknowledged.
COLLISON House of Lords, SW1.
Braking assurance
It has come to our notice that sonic people are suggesting that future legislation will insist upon an equal braking efficiency being provided by each wheel of a vehicle. This can cause concern to companies using or planning to use three-wheeled electric vehicles, and to dispel any fears that this unpractical suggestion would arouse, the matter has been carefully investigated by my company.
It is now confirmed by the Ministry of Transport that there is no intention, so far as can be foreseen, to amend the present regulations to stipulate the standard of braking efficiency for each individual braked wheel on a vehicle.
P. V. PO COCK, General manager, W. and E. Vehicles Ltd.
Vehicle livery
I read with interest Roger Kenney's most interesting article on vehicle liveries (CM June 271. However, I am surprised that Mr. Kenney cannot find one reason why there are numerous vehicles being operated without any lettering whatsoever.
Surely the reasons for this are obvious. The first, which is really the main reason, is because of security. A vehicle loaded with, say, cigarettes is less likely to be stolen if it has no lettering on it than one which has. The second reason is to do with finance. The majority of these vehicles are operated by the smaller operators, mainly local traders, who have not the money to have their vehicles properly finished in non-factory colours and lettering.
Details of these vehicles and others can be found in this organization's journal Fleet De
Mr. Cunningham—why no article
I read with interest your interviews with the chairmen of the Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester PTAs and I had looked forward to reading a similar article concerning Ald. Cunningham, the controversial chairman of my local Tyneside PTA.
Mr. Cunningham's position in the Labour Party and the GMWU gives him many interests and he has been quoted in the local press as saying that he did not expect the PTA to take much of his time.
Could it be that there has been no article because you have not been able to contact this gentleman?
D.J. ANDERSON, Newcastle upon Tyne We have approached Mr. Cunningham several times to arrange an interview on the lines of the other three, but have so far not been accorded this facility by Mr. Cunningham.—Ed]